degrading
Stripping of dignity
Degrading describes treatment or conditions that strip away dignity or self-respect.
A degrading experience makes someone feel humiliated or reduced to something less than human: The prisoners endured degrading conditions.
Work can be degrading when it demeans: She quit the degrading job.
The word often appears in discussions of abuse, punishment, or exploitation.
Causing loss of respect
- diminishingBecoming progressively less
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
- denigratingCriticizing to damage reputation
- devaluingReducing something's worth
undermining · discrediting · humiliating · deprecating · condescending · patronizing · dismissive · disrespectful
Causing painful embarrassment
- mortifyingCausing acute embarrassment
- embarrassingCausing awkward self-consciousness
- disgracefulCausing loss of respect
- shamefulCausing or meriting disgrace
dishonorable · stigmatizing · debasing · abasing · undignified · ignominious · scandalous · contemptible
Organic matter decomposing
- decomposingOrganic matter breaking down
- putrefyingDecaying with foul odor
- spoilingCausing ruin or decay
- festeringBecoming infected, decaying
moldering · disintegrating · crumbling · deteriorating · perishing · biodegrading · organic · bacterial
Metal oxidation process
- oxidizingCombining with oxygen
- tarnishingOxidizing and losing shine
- wearingHaving clothing on
- pittingForming small cavities
galvanic · cathodic · electrolysis · acidic · chemical · reactive · metallic · corrosive
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
- wearing awayGradual loss through friction
- washing awayRemoving by water flow
- scouringVigorous abrasive cleaning
- abradingEroding by friction
geological · soil · sediment · gully · ravine · fluvial · denudation · environmental
demeaning
Causing loss of respect
- diminishingBecoming progressively less
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
- denigratingCriticizing to damage reputation
devaluing · undermining · discrediting · humiliating · deprecating · condescending · patronizing · dismissive · disrespectful · contemptuous
humiliating
Causing painful embarrassment
- mortifyingCausing acute embarrassment
- embarrassingCausing awkward self-consciousness
- disgracefulCausing loss of respect
shameful · dishonorable · stigmatizing · debasing · abasing · undignified · ignominious · scandalous · contemptible · lowering
rotting
Organic matter decomposing
- decomposingOrganic matter breaking down
- putrefyingDecaying with foul odor
- spoilingCausing ruin or decay
festering · moldering · disintegrating · crumbling · deteriorating · perishing · biodegrading · organic · bacterial · fungal
rusting
Metal oxidation process
- oxidizingCombining with oxygen
- tarnishingOxidizing and losing shine
- wearingHaving clothing on
pitting · galvanic · cathodic · electrolysis · acidic · chemical · reactive · metallic · corrosive · etching
weathering
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
- wearing awayGradual loss through friction
- washing awayRemoving by water flow
- scouringVigorous abrasive cleaning
abrading · geological · soil · sediment · gully · ravine · fluvial · denudation · environmental · topsoil
- decliningdeclining, waning, fading, diminishing, decreasing
- deterioratingdecaying, decomposing, rotting, eroding, crumbling
- Deteriorationdecay, rot, deterioration, corrosion, rotting
- disrespectinsulting, belittling, demeaning, mocking, ridiculing
- mistreatmentbullying, harassing, intimidating, oppressing, humiliating
- offendinginsulting, offending, disrespecting, affronting, slighting
degradingdignifying
Giving unearned respect
respectful · honoring · dignified · ennobling · elevating
degradinguplifting
Emotionally encouraging
empowering · affirming · encouraging · edifying · inspiring
degradingennobling
Conferring dignity or honor
laudatory · commendatory · exalting · adulatory · complimentary